Police investigate hate crime after mosque set on fire in southern UK coastal town
A mosque on the south‑coast of England was set alight on Saturday night, sparking a police investigation into a hate crime.
Emergency crews arrived at the Peacehaven Mosque in East Sussex at about 9:45 pm, just after a report of a blaze. The front door and a nearby vehicle were badly damaged, but no one was hurt. Police released footage showing two men in balaclavas spraying an accelerant on the mosque’s entrance before setting it aflame.
Sussex Police said the attack was deliberate arson, “intended to endanger life,” and described it as an “appalling and reckless” act that will make many feel unsafe. Detective Inspector Gavin Patch emphasized that the fire was not an accident. “We will treat it as a hate crime,” he told reporters.
The mosque’s leadership responded strongly, stressing that Peacehaven has always been a place of respect and cooperation. “This hateful act does not represent our community,” the mosque spokesperson said.
The incident comes on the heels of a brutal synagogue attack in Manchester, where a knife‑wielding assailant killed two people. The Manchester case was called a terrorist attack, and a councillor’s tragic death occurred when an officer shot at the intruder during the siege.
National leaders condemned the mosque fire. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood called it “deeply concerning,” adding that attacks on Britain’s Muslims target the whole nation. The President of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, Phil Rosenberg, also condemned the incident, urging that every faith group should be able to worship without fear.
These attacks unfold amid heightened tensions over the Israel‑Hamas war. Pro‑Palestinian demonstrations have been frequent across the UK since the conflict escalated. While many protests have remained peaceful, some supporters have shouted slogans that critics say can fuel anti‑Semitic sentiment. A handful of demonstrators were arrested for supporting Hamas, which is listed as a terrorist organisation in the UK.
Earlier this week, about 1,000 people rallied in Trafalgar Square to protest the banning of Palestine Action, a group accused of vandalising British military sites. The government has declared support for this group illegal.
Police and local authorities are stepping up security at mosques, churches, and other places of worship to reassure communities. The incident has reminded the country that while it prides itself on diversity, it must also protect the safety of all its residents.
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